Alabama Megachurch Mourns Passing of Pastor Keith Lindsey
The Alabama megachurch Church of the Highlands celebrated the life of their Greystone Campus Pastor Keith Lindsey Saturday after he succumbed to a year-long battle with cancer last week.
Lindsey's death was first confirmed in a message posted to social media by Church of the Highlands Senior Pastor Chris Hodges Thursday.
"With a saddened heart, I wanted to let you know that our Greystone Campus Pastor, Keith Lindsey, went to be with the Lord early this afternoon after a yearlong battle with cancer. Pastor Keith was an incredible man whose legacy of love for God and people will continue to impact generations to come through every one of us who had the honor of knowing him," Hodges wrote to members of the Birmingham-based church.
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The late pastor is survived by his wife, Debbie, his two sons, Blake and Blaine, their wives, Lindsey and Lauren, and grandchildren, according to the Shelby County Reporter.
More than 30,000 people attend multiple campuses of the church in Alabama each weekend, according to the church's website.
Many who attended a memorial service in honor of Lindsey's life on Saturday said it was an emotional but fitting tribute.
"Extremely emotional, yet beautiful and powerful celebration service for our beloved campus Pastor Keith, who will forever be remembered, (Psalm 112:6). Thankful to have been blessed to know and serve under this mighty and humble man of God. He fostered true community at our Greystone Campus, and always took time to encourage others. Miss him so already. Grieving this great loss for us along with His family, but not without hope — our loss, Heaven's gain," noted church member Jennifer Morrow.
Layne Schranz, executive pastor of Highlands who oversees the church campuses, noted on Facebook:
God was his passion.
His wife was his joy.
His children were his crown.
People were his life.
- Pastor Keith Lindsey
Lord, help me live and love like that!
Amazing celebration of his life tonight!
Blake Lindsey, who now serves as the Grandview Campus pastor at Church of the Highlands, recalled his father as the "greatest man I have ever known."
His brother, Blaine, noted during the memorial service: "My dad pushed me not because he wanted more from me but because He (God) wanted more for me! God wants the same for you!"
Lindsey became leader of the Greystone Campus in March 2014, according to Schranz, who explained that the church had been praying for his healing.
"I will never forget Pastor Blake's sermon from 21 days of prayer. Shadrack told the king that they would not bow down, because his God was able to save him. And then Shadrack said ... 'but even if He doesn't,' we will still praise Him. Then Blake used this same message to speak about his dad's cancer. His God is able to save Keith Lindsey's life, but even if He doesn't, they will still praise the name of Jesus," wrote church member Sam Douglas.
